Creech commandeers career counseling capability

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay
  • 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, NEVADA --  Trying to reenlist? Have a career question? If so, we have some great news for you. Creech Airmen can now receive career assistance from the new Creech Career Assistance Advisor.

Master Sgt. Marcy Holland, a former 432nd Maintenance Squadron weapons standardization superintendent,   understands firsthand the challenges Airmen stationed at Creech have when it comes to getting professional development and career help.

"Creech leadership fought for an additional CAA to be placed at Creech to help support the mission and augment the Nellis CAA in taking care of the nearly eight thousand Nellis, Creech, and Nevada Test and Training Range personnel stationed here," said Holland.  "One person is not able to effectively manage that many Airmen's careers as well as run the Professional Development Center and First Term Airman Center at Nellis."

The newly created position will allow Creech Airmen to skip the hour-long drive to Nellis and still receive the same quality of professional development and career services they need.

One of the services now available is the Informed Decision Seminar, a mandatory briefing for all first- and second-term Airmen seeking reenlistment. Members who are being involuntarily separated or medically retired do not need to attend. The course will be offered twice a month at Creech. 

In addition, the CAA will offer the NCO Professional Enhancement Seminar, a four-day course aimed to service all staff and technical sergeants who have not received professional development for two to three years. This course is also open to company grade officers who rate on enlisted personnel.

Senior enlisted Airmen in the grades of master sergeant and technical sergeants who have a line number for master sergeant may now attend the SNCO PES, offered biannually. This course is required for all those eligible, per the 432nd Wing leadership.

For enlisted Airmen seeking a change in scenery, a Retraining 101 course is available to assist with retraining, special duties, assignments, separations, and career job reservations. This course is offered two to three times a month.

"My mission is to put myself out of a job," said Holland.  "To do that, I need Airmen and their supervisors to use [the CAA], so that they can be armed with accurate information in regards to retraining, career counseling, and professional development opportunities for the future."

With an ever-evolving Air Force, leadership skills and exercising sound judgment are more important now than ever before.

To help manage these expectations, John C. Maxwell "Lunch-n-Lead" courses are offered during lunch hours and are open to all ranks wishing to improve their leadership skills. To register, email westley.girven@us.af.mil.

"In my opinion, there is nothing more gratifying than teaching and inspiring others to work towards being their best self.  If any NCO/SNCO would like to get more involved to develop our Airmen, we offer many classes that need facilitators," said Holland

For those wanting to become a Lunch-n-Lead facilitator or seeking general information, email marcy.holland@us.af.mil or call 702-404-1182.

Additionally, Airmen choosing to decline retainability are required to meet with the CAA.  Once they attend this meeting, Airmen should email their signed Air Force Form 964 to Holland.

First Term Airmen are still required to attend the First Term Airman's Course, which is only offered at Nellis. To schedule, call 702-652-2206 or email oliver.harris@us.af.mil.

"I am an email or a phone call away," says Holland. "To keep this capability [at Creech], I encourage Airmen to use the services provided here as much as possible."